Shannon Ashley Jordan and Vernon Leland Botts

The college sweethearts were wed at Heinz Memorial Chapel on the University of Pittsburgh campus, where the pair first met as freshmen.

Newlyweds Shannon and Vernon take a private moment during their winter wonderland wedding, Feb. 20, 2010.

In-Vision Studio

Family

Rufus and Judith Jordan;
Bernard and Rosemarie Botts

Ceremony

The college sweethearts were wed at Heinz Memorial Chapel (1212 Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh; 412/624-4157, heinzchapel.pitt.edu) on the University of Pittsburgh campus, where the pair first met as freshmen. Sandra Monahan (724/934-1432, weddingswithoutworries.net) conducted the ceremony, which helped guests get to know Shannon and Vernon better as a couple by focusing on their personal story. Before the wedding, Shannon and her bridesmaids spent the evening being pampered at the Mansion at Maple Heights (Chukky Okobi, 5516 Maple Heights Road, Pittsburgh; 412/586-7940, mansionmapleheights.com) and were treated to a full gourmet breakfast while getting ready for the main event.

Photographer

Videographer

Bob Steranko from Videosaic (888/577-8433, videosaic.com) served as the videographer for Shannon and Vernon's big day.

On the Bride

In keeping with the wedding’s theme, Shannon chose a 1940’s-style v-neck gown with a cowl back and detailed beading by Jasmine Couture from MB Bride (123 S. Urania Avenue, Greensburg; 724/836-6626, mbbride.com). In lieu of a veil, the bride wore a hair barrette with flowers, feathers, and tulle from Clarissa Boutique (1700 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh; 412/432-3299, clarissaboutique.com), and she finished her ensemble with an ivory faux fur wrap. Bridesmaids wore similar faux fur wraps in black.

On the Groom

Reception

The Pitt alum hosted a glamorous old-Hollywood-themed reception in the Pennsylvania Room of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association (4215 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh; 412/621-2400, paaclub.com). Event planner Katherine Shaw of Trends to Traditions (412/267-2108, trendstotraditions.com) did an exceptional job of incorporating the theme into as many aspects of the event as possible, making guests feel as if they had stepped into an old-time jazz club. A projection screen showed black and white movies during the cocktail hour, place cards featuring movie trivia and classic Hollywood couples were placed on every table, and caricature artist Vince Cantola drew pictures of guests in old Hollywood settings wearing boas and fedoras. The Athletic Association’s in-house staff dished up a savory meal of New York strip steak, broiled sole, and a portabella stack, and a dessert table featured old-fashioned penny candy and cookies.